Swag or Ream Primer Pocket

Is it prefered to use a swaging tool or just ream out the military crimp in 223 to accept a new primer?

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Welding Rod

March 18, 2013, 04:27 PM

I don't know what is "prefered", but I personally use a RCBS swage which has always sone a good job, quickly, and with minimal hassle on crimped 556 and 762.

KAC1911

March 18, 2013, 04:40 PM

Thanks WR. I read somewhere where a guy suggested using a counter sink tool to remove the crimp. Seems like there is no way to remove the exact amount on all the brass that way. With that rcbs swaging tool no need to have another tool on the bench to operate which I like too.

kingmt

March 18, 2013, 05:05 PM

People use all kinds of things. I use the CH4D.

OldTex

March 18, 2013, 06:38 PM

I saw a setup using a countersink cutter and a drill press. By locking down a stop on the press handle, he got consistent cuts.

My personal belief is that reaming/cutting is better for the reason that you're leaving the rest of the case untouched. With a swager, you're relying on brute force to push the crimp somewhere else. Where it goes may differ from case to case and that's a source of inconsistency that you typically try to avoid. . And it's not just the pocket that the swager affects. Here's a pic of what the other end of the swaging tool does to the case web on the inside - that's what mashed this circle into the web:
http://www.pbase.com/texindian/image/139168370.jpg

With that said, swaging is so much easier than using the reamer tool on my Wilson trimmer. If it's not brass destined for my best shooting guns, I just use the swager.

ldlfh7

March 18, 2013, 06:44 PM

I swage. Its so easy and you can't really mess up.

FROGO207

March 18, 2013, 07:04 PM

If you swage there is no removal of primer pocket material that you have with reaming etc. I feel that the brass will last longer this way. The C4HD swage tool uses the shell holder to contain the brass head, no pin needed to distort the inner web area.:) I have used an old screwdriver bit, a pocket knife, a RCBS swage tool, and countersink in a drill press. I will have a C4HD tool in the near future in my shop. For now I will continue to use the RCBS tool. Now I feel reaming is certainly faster with the present tools on hand but I always look for max case life and believe I use the better method for that. YMMV

45lcshooter

March 18, 2013, 07:36 PM

Ream. The trick is not to get brass that needs this kind of prepping. Lol.

KAC1911

March 19, 2013, 10:34 AM

Thanks guys for all the input an advice.I've been loading straight wall pistol for years but the 223 is a different animal and I'm trying to do it safely and right the first time.

I have a original stoney point oal guage for 223 that I was going to use on my TC in 223 but sold the pistol before reloading it. So I'm hoping I'll be able to use it in my ar. I figure this will help too. Would like a case guage too

Thanks again guys.

Kenny

GLOOB

March 19, 2013, 06:05 PM

Seems like there is no way to remove the exact amount on all the brass that way.
When you batch process 100's of rounds, yes. You do get to be pretty darn consistent.

If you only have a few crimped cases, here and there, just set 'em aside. They're not worth bothering over unless you have a bunch. When you batch process them, you might overcook a couple, at first, but it's pretty hard to cut so deep that the primers start blowing.

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